Fuel supply, carburetion, and supercharger system and apparatus for internal combustion engines



sePfl 1942? o. c. FUNDERBURK 2,294,743

FUEL SUPPLY, CARBURETION, AND SUPERCHARGER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed sept. 11, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 1 l INVENTOR Ulf/5 C. fnde/bark SePt- 1, 1942. o. c.-r-uNDERBURK, 2,294,743

FUEL SUPPLY, CARBURETION, AND SUPERCHARGER SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. l1, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR v. Offs 6T frn/embark Sept. l, 1942. Y o; c. FUNDERBURK FUEL SUPPLY, CARBURETION, AND SUPERCHARGER SYSTEM APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 4 Sheets-Sheet -3 AND Filed sept. 11, 1940 INVENTO 0271516? fnde/bark BY 'l Frq Il @im M).

ATTORNEYS Sept.` l, 1942.

v FUEL SUPPLY, CARBURETION, AND SUPERCHARGER SYSTEM APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Sept. 11. 1940 o. C. FUNDERBURK AND 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 n atented Sept. i, E42

l accents FUEL SUPPLY, cARBE'rroN, surna- CHARGER srs'ranrnnn APPARATUS non INTERNAL coUs'rroN Ends ons c. Fundering, weston, es.

Application September il, 1940,'Serial No. 356,366, s claims. (ci. 2er-c5) This -invention relates to an apparatus for producing a combustible mixture and more particularly to mechanical means for elevating fuel, mixing and distributing air and fuel constituents to produce a combustible mixture particularly sultable for internal combustion engines.

'I'he invention is inclusive of a system for mix ing, conducting and delivering a mixture of air and fuel constituents from a common source of supply by rotatable means to a collecting zone or outlet.

The invention comprehends the provision' of rotatable means for feedingto asuitable chamber and mixing a liquid fuel with airin a proper relation to secure a combustible mixture satisfactory for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines.

The invention has for one-'of its objects the provision of a plurality of rotatable Venturi tubes for effecting the atomizing and` mixing of liquid fuel with the air in a ratio to secure a combustible mixture having an air and fuel ratio which is substantially constant irrespective of atmospheric pressure or temperature.'

The invention has for another object the utilization of rotatable means for securing uniformity of a mixture formation and distribution by employing liquid fuels and of mixing fuel and air in successive stages.l

The invention has for-'another object the pro'- vision of mechanical means to atomize various types of liquid fuels and especially heavy fuels including those not readily susceptible to atomization by conventional means.

The invention has for another of its objects the provision of atomizing means usable with an anterior air control throttle and fuel metering means operating in conjoint relationship and dependent for simultaneous functioning upon the rate of actuation of the atomizing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide.

centrifugal means arranged to conjointly feed, atomize, mix and distribute a fuel and ,air mixture foraninternal combustion engine. Y

Another primary object of Athe' invention is to provide an aspirator in association with an engine manifold for producing a flow and eillclent 'carburetion of a liquid fluid under pressure Lto form a combustible mixture of /uniformcharacter under the most adverse conditions of engine operation. f

A further general object of this invention is to provide an aspirator for 'mixing air and liquid action and distributing the mixture under pres-a sure to an engine manifold.

Still another object is the provision of' simple and effective means for heating fuel during initial or starting operations of the internal combuse ltion engine. Further objects and advantages are within the Y l scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various detalls of construction and to combinations of parts, ele ments per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specication and drawings of a form of the inventiomwhich may be preferred, in which Figure 1 is a view showing a portion of a con ventional radial cylinder type aviation engine in= corporating thearrangement of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the housing structure shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a means for driving the rotor structure ofl the fuel and air mixing and distribution arrangement` of my invention; Y

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 8 of Fig-ure l;

4Figure 5 is va sectional View taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure e;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially-'bn the line 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a front view of the arrangement of my invention, part of the housing being broken away 'for purposes of illustration;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view illustrating one of thegradially arranged venturis of the rotor structure; Y i

Figure 10 is an end view of theVenturiconstruction shown in Figure 9; l

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line ll-Ii .of Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating ua throttle control arrangement forming A part of the invention;

Figure .13 is a side elevational view showing the ,supplemental fuel supply and 'heating mean therefor;

. Figure 14 is an end view partlyV in section ofthe i structure shown in Flgure 13.

lfuel in a predetermined ratio by; acentrlfugal Referring to the drawings in' detail, frieren illustrated a portionv of an aviation engine of conventional design in which numeral It illus= rotor rotor.

-or plate 50 which is positioned trates the radially disposed engine cylinders which are secured to a crankcase centrally e positioned with respect to the cylinders. Leadi erably formed in two members including a disclike member I6 having a hub portion ,|1, and a hollow member I8. Extending into the hub portion I1 of member I6 forming a part of the housing -is a shaft 2| journalled for rotation in a manner to be hereinafter described. The housing members I6 Iand |8 are formed with peripheral fianges 34 and 34' adjacent the distributing chamber |4 which are securedl together by means of bolts 35 or other suitable securing means, gasket 35' being interposed between the housing members to form a sealed joint.

Fixedly secured on the shaft 2| is a disc-like element or rotor 23 retained on the shaft by-a feather keyv 22 and set screw. or other suitable means. The rotor 23 is formed with a plurality of radially yarranged bosses 3|, substantially equally spaced about the inner face ofl thel rotor; Each of the bosses 3| is bored or provided with a cylindrical passage 32 in the outer portion of which is fitted a bushing-or tting 33. Each bushing 33 is provided .with .a longitudinally extending venturi 36 having a restr' ted throat portion 31, each venturi being radia y arranged in the rotor structure. The cylin cal exterior of the fitting 33 adjacent the 'throat portion off vular groove" ai A the venturi is provided with aeif 38. The groove 38 communicates wit the thi/eat in the embodiment illustrated, is arranged in a\ slot formed in a shaft 64 which is journalled in the casing wall. Valve disk 62 is pinned to the shaft 64 by means of pins 65 or other suitable securing means. The shaft 64 extends yexteriorly of the casing 60 and carries at one extremity an arm 63 held in place by a pin 66 which is connected by a rod 61 to the conventional throttle 31 'of the venturi by means of a plurality of spaced radially'arranged openings or passages 39 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. 'I'hebosses 3| of the rotor 23 `are each provided with a short transverse passageway 40, municating with a groove' 38m each of the nttins13 as particularly illustrated in-Figures 4 an means oi pins 4| extending into openings in the 23, the ends of the each passageway com- 'I'he fittings 33 are held in place by Pins projecting into grooves 38 diametrically opposite the passageways 46. 'I'he'passagewaysl are in communication withradially arranged passages 42 diametrically arranged in the rotor 23, passages 42 being in communication with the chamber 43, formed by the inner walls 45 of a venturi 21.r

The hub portion 25 of the rotor `z: ie pro- The passages '42 are drilled or bored in the rotor: and have vided with a venturi 21 arranged axiauy of the rotor which'is formed with a restricted throat 46,

the exterior of thev fitting being threaded Ias at.

41 into a .threaded bore in the hub 25 of the rotor, the fitting also being provided with a flange 48- for properly positioning the Venturi tting in the Secured to the rotor is an annular closure means of dowels or pins 5| and is secured to the rotor by means of screws 52 or other suitable means. The spaces 54 formed between the inner4 l on the rotor by let 6| is a hollow tubular portion 68 which isr provided with a fuel passageway 69 in communication with 'a fuel outlet jet or nozzle 18, the terminus of the jet being arranged axially in the throat 48 of the venturi 21 so that a maximum lift upon the fuel supply is obtained by the action of air moving through the venturi 21. It should be noted that the configuration ofthe portion 68 is streamlined as shown in Figurey 5 to facilitate rapid air flow past the portion, 68 with a minimum of obstruction in the air passages. The fuel passageway 68 at each end is in communication with a passage 12 the latter in turn communicating with a passage 13. each passage 13 terminating in a bore or passage 14 arranged at each side of the air inlet as shown in 'end with a bore 15 of smaller diameter, the wall of the connecting portion between passages 14 and 15 being `frusto-conical in configurationforming a valve seat 16. Positioned in each of the passages 14 and 15 is a valve body or shaft 11 having a valve portion 18 arranged to cooperate with seat 16 tofcut off thel vflow of fuel. 'I'he valve construction is also inclusive of a long tapering needle type valve 18 which extends into the small bore 15, and as the valve body 11 is elevated the air control disk or valve 82 'is opened during operation of the device of my invention. the elevated needle 19 permits more fuel to flow into the air-stream. Each of the passages 14 communicates with'a fuel inlet 8| which registers with a supply tube 82 -which is directly connected to the fuel supply tank (not shown).

Each valve shaft 11 is threaded as at 83 to threadedly receivearsleeve 81 which isprovided with aiiattened portion upon which are, formed 1 a series of teeth 88 forming a. rack in mesh with a toothed sector 93. Also threaded 'upon the upy per portion of shaft 11 is a nut '84, the' upper end of the shaft having a slot 85. AEach of the valve housings and 86 fis secured to housing I6 by,` means of screws 8|', there being gaskets A83' interposed between the valve housings and the main casingV I8. Theupperfportions of each of i the valve housings '80 and 86 are closed by means of removable caps 89 secured in place by means of screws 92. This cap has an inwardly extending projection 9| which positions an expansive coil spring 90 arranged between the nut 84 and the wall of cap 89, spring 9U urging. the valve shaftunder light pressuretoward-valve closing position, the spring taking up. any looseness or back lash between the teeth of sleeve 81 and sector 93.

'Ihe adjustment of the fuel metering -valve for idling position is accomplished by re- Figure4. 'I-he bore 14 communicates at its lowerJ leasing nut 80, and by inserting a proper tool in slot 85, the valve shaft 11 may be rotated to raise or lower the same depending upon the amount of valve opening desired for the passage of fuel during idling conditions. The flattened portion of the sleeve 81 is engagement with teeth of sector 93 prevents the sleeve from rotating during the adjustment of shaft 11. After this adjustment has been made, the nut 8e may be tightened into engagement with sleeve or rack 81 to hold the sleeve and shaft 11 in fixed relationship. It is to be noted that the sleeve 81 is snugly seated in a cylindrical bore 96, which serves as additional means for properly guiding the valve shaft 11.

Each toothed sector 93 is mounted upon the. throttle supporting shaft 66 and secured to the shaft by means of a. pin 9e or other suitable securing means. With particular reference to Figures 4 and 6, it is to be noted that when shaft 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction to open the air control valve 62, sector 93 rotates with the shaft causing the sectorto elevate the sleeve 81 against the tensionof spring 90, and elevate or open the fuel control valve to admit more fuel into the engine. By this means the fuel may be. metered or proportioned to the volume of air passing to the sion 00.

` 1n the arrangement of my invention as illustrated, it is desirable to have the throttle control arrangement of such a nature that when the engine is stopped, the fuel-.regulating valves 18 will be completely closed, i. e., resting on valve seats 18. It is also essential that the valve control embody a predetermined idling position for both the air control valve 62 and the fuel metering valves. To this end, there is secured to the exterior of one of the fuel valve casings 86, a

overcome the tension of spring 820 when it is desired to move the throttle'control away from idling position.

It is essential that the rotor of the arrangement of my invention for most engine 'installations should rotate at a speed considerably above engine crankshaft speed. In the embodiment illustrated, with particular reference to Figure 3,

I have illustrated a form of gearing for rotation ofthe supercharger disk at approximately eight times. engine crankshaft speed, which IV have found to be a desirable operation speed for the rotor. The gearing is suitably contained in a housing 98 and, in the present embodiment, is

positioned Ibetween the supercharger and the.

engine. f The shaft 2| carrying the rotor disk 23 I is supported upon suitable anti-friction bearings rotor through the casing exteny quadrant or plate I9 held in place by screws |20 which is formed'with a depression |2| and a surface |22 which is angularly disposed with respectl to the major surface of the quadrant ||9 as particularly shown in Figure 12. As shown in Fig- I ure 12, the throttle arm |53` is provided with a transverse bore |26 in which is slidablyepositioner the plunger |25 which is urged to its outermost position by means of a coil spring |20 the latter bearing against the inner end of threaded plug |21 which closes the bore |20.` The extremity of .Y

-. plunger |25 is curved or rounded as at |28 to cooperate With the depression or recess in quadrant plate |20.

When the throttle arm B3 is in' the position shown in Figure 12, `the extremity of the plunger |2| formed |25 will rest in the recess-IH, and in this position the throttle valve 62 is in partially open or idling position. In this .position the valve shaft 11 is adjusted so that the valve 18 is open -or above valve seat 16 to permit passage of fuel required for idling of the engine. In the event that it is desired to shut olf the engine, the throttle lever 03 is further moved in a clockwise' direction, as viewed in Figure 2, until the fuel metering valves 18 are completely closed, thus cutting off the fuel supply to the rotor-23.'l In this position of the throttle lever |53 the plunger |25 is in engagement with the angularly positioned `surface |22, and under the-influence of the .spring |28 acting against plunger |25, the throttle arm 63 is held in its extreme left-hand position as viewedvin Figure 2, the pressure of spring |28 w resiliently urging the fuel metering 'valves to closed position. It is to be understood that comparatively slight pressure exerted upon the vthrottie arm through the rod 61 will be sufficient to Y functioning to close the supply offuel through |00, and on the extremity of the shaft is fixed a gear |0| meshing with an internal gear |02 of larger diameter. spider |03 which is carried upon a shaft We, the latter being journalled on suitable anti-friction bearings |05 and |00. Also formed upon the spider |03 is a comparatively small gear |01 in mesh with a larger gear |08, the latter'being supported upon a. shaft |09 carried in suitable antifriction bearings H0. The shaft |09 may be an L)cine or an electric motor without'departing from the spirit ofv this invention. f

It is highly desirable to provide means for facilitating cold starting and initial running of the'internal combustion engine with which the supercharger and fuel mixing device of my invention maybe used, and'to this end there is provided means to pre-heat a supplemental fuel supply -admitted to the engine. This arrangement as particularly shown in Figures 13 and le is inclusive of fuel supply tube |30 communicating by means of a' passage |32 with a vertically disposed bore or passage |33 formed in valve housing in which is slidably positioned a metering vpin or valve |36. The metering pin |36 is tapered and adapted to rest in a valve seat |35 the supplemental fuel metering Vmeans.` The valve shaft |36 carrying valve |34 is provided with a'collar |38. Journalledin thevvalveliousing is a shortishaft |39 which is provided with a cam orY arm |40 which projectsv beneath the collar |38. The shaft |39 projects exteriorly of the valve casing, and upon the projecting end is` pinned or otherwise secured an actuating armI IM and connected to the extremity of the-arm is an actuating shaft or rod |43`which extends to the operators ,compartment and terminates in a manipulating button (not shown) functioning as a control means. Positionedabove the valve rod or shaft |36 is a comparatively light expansive coil spring |45 which exerts slight pressure upon the valve shaft |30 tending to urge the valve |36 toward closed position. When the valve |30 is in closed position and the arm |4 moved to its extreme clockwise position asview in Figure 13, slight clearance exists between the upper surface of the cam |40 and the lower .surface of collar The gear |02 is formed on a.v

- passageway |45 leading into a heating chamber |46 which functions to preheat the fuel before its exit into the main air stream. Positioned within the heating chamber is an electrically heated element |41 which may be in the form 0f a resistance coil of an alloy known as Nichrome, one end of which is grounded to the valve housing as at |46, while the other end is connected as bywelding at |49 to a post |50 which is surrounded by an insulating bushing |5| 4of Bakelite or similar material. The heating element |41 is surrounded by a sleeve |53 made of suitable ceramic or other material having both heat and electrical insulating characteristics. The sleeve |53 is provided with a'n opening |54 which communicates with a passageway 55, thelatter in turn being in communication with a passageway |56 formed in a rib or strut 66 extending across the main air inlet and terminating in the main fuel jet extending into the axially positioned venturi 21 arranged in the hub of the supercharger rotor 23.

The post |50 terminates in a threaded portion |59 whichy receives the end of .a conductor |60 held in place'by means of nuts |6| and |62 and which is connectedto a terminal |63 carried by a switch housing |64, the latter being supported upon the valve casing 60. The other terminal |66 carried by the switch housing |65 is connected to a source of electrical current as for example, a storage battery or generator or the like (not shown). to supply a current of electricity to the heatingelement |41.

The switch housing |64 houses a suitable switch mechanism4 including la static ary contact |69 and a movable contact |10 c rried by a pivotallysupported arm or lever |66 which has projections |12 and |13 alternately positioned in' the path of the end of arm |4|. With particular reference to Figure 13, it will be noted that when the'arm |4| is, moved toits extreme clockwise position, it has engaged with projection |13 of the switch lever |66 to separate the contacts |69 and |10 to de-energize the heating element |41 at the time the valve |34 is moved to closed position. When shaft |43 is withdrawn to oscillate arm |4| in a -counter-clockwise direction, the arm |4| engages projection '|12 on the switch lever to oscillate the latter and eiect a closing of the contacts |69 and |10 to energize the heating ele-,-

ment |41 when valve |34 is opened. The switch lever |66 is held in its respective fopen" and "closed positions by means of a.` spring |14.

The operation and function of the arrangement and method of mixing fuel with air and distributingsame is as follows: The internal combustion engine I0 is first started by `conventional means. At the ,.time of starting the engine the rod |43 and arm |4| are moved to a position by the operator to bring `the cam. |40 into contact with the collar |38 on the valveshaft\|354 elevating the latter to raise the valve |34 off-of valve seat |35, at which time fuel may pass through the fuel passage v|45 through the' heating chamber |46 and through' passagesl |55 and |56 to the main fuel Adischarge nozzle. Simultaneously with the movement of arm I|4|v to fuel valve opening position, the rm |4| contacts with the projection |13 onthe switch lever |66 to close contacts i|69 and |10 energizing the Aelectrical circuit through conductor |60, post |56 element to become heated. The engine in operation rotates shaft |09, and through the medium of the gearing as hereinbefore described shown in Figure,3, rotates the :rotor 23 of the supercharger structure at a comparatively high speed. The high speed of rotation of rotor 23 sets up through centrifugal action, radial forces acting in passageways 32, 42 and 54 and venturis 36, establishing an outward air flow radially of the rotor 23 which enters the inlet 6|. Under the inuenceof the centrifugal force, air enters v the inlet 6| and with the air valve 62 open the air passes valve 62, some of the air passing radially of the rotor through passageways 32 and 54 under the influence of the curved surface 56 and forces the air radially and outwardly of rotor `23. Some ofthe incoming air passes through.

the axially arranged venturi 21. in the hub of the rotor structure and exerts a sub-atmospheric pressure upon the fuel nozzle 10 which terminates in the restricted portion- 46 of.this venturi. The' aspirator action of the rotor 23 causes fuel to be elevated through the fuel supply tube |30 past the valve |34, the fuel flowing through the .heating chamber |46 is heated by the ele`- ment |41 and the heated fuel discharged through 'the main nozzle into the axially arranged venturi 21 formed inthe supercharger rotor. After the internal combustion engine has become warm or has passed through the initial starting stages, v

the needle valves 19 may then be opened so that the subatmospheric pressure set up by the venturi 46 acting upon the fuel delivery jet 10'exerts a sub-atmospheric pressure in the fuel passageways 69, 12, 13| 15, 6| and the fuel supply tube 8 2 so that liquid fuel is thereafter caused to be lifted by'said sub-atmospheric pressure through the above mentioned passageways past thevalve seats 16 and needle valves 19 so that fuel is delivered through nozzle 10 and is mixed with' air passing through the Venturi throat 46 into the Venturi exit passage or chamber 43positioned centrally of the hub of rotor 23. fUpon the opening of the ,main fuel metering valves 19 the supplementalfuel supply may be cut oif by ,closing the valve |34 and 'simultaneously breaking the circuit to the heating element |41 through `the action ofthe switch 1ever`lss. The venturi A 21 serves a two-fold purpose', to lift vor elevate the fue1` from the supply tank to the nozzle andy at the same time provide the first stage of mixing air with the liquid fuel discharged from the nozzle 10. Under the action of centrifugal force the mixture of air andA fuelv in the Venturi passage 43 is discharged radially `through passages 42 in the rotor and through the transverse passages 40 to the groove 38 in the Venturi fitting 33 through the openings or passages 39 into the restricted throat portions 31 of -thes venturis where the fuel and air mixture initially taken into the chamber 43 of the-venturi 21 is further mixed in a second stage with air passing 4outwardly and radially through the passages 32 'and venturis 3,6 where the fuel mixture is fur.- ther diluted' with air as it is discharged peripherally of the supercharger rotorv 23. It is to be noted that-during rotation of the rotor a' substantially large quantity of an unmixed with fuel is. discharged radiallyof the rotor through the passageways 54 formed between the inner walls of the rotor 23 and the Aclosure plate'50, which passageways also discharge air into theannular collector ring or manifold chamber 'I4 -and heating element |41, causing theheating formed peripherally ofl the rotor disk so that as the fuel and air mixture is discharged into the collector ring from the Venturi tube 3B, the mixture is further Vsubstantially diluted withi air passing through the passages 54 constituting a third stage in forming a fuel and air mixture for final distribution into the engine cylinders through the manifolds or tubes I2 shown in Figure l. charger in breaking up the liquid fuel is that of an aspirator, as the fuel particles are subjected'to extremely high velocities in passing through the passages in the rotor structure. By this means a lifting of the fuel from the fuel supply is accomplished without any independent pumping means and a high degree of atomization of the liquid fuel is accomplished through the three stages of mixing the fuel with air as it passes through the several passages in the supercharger rotor 23. I have found. .that the arrangement of my invention will atomize very heavy fuels and has the particular advantage of atomizing or carbureting fuels which heretofore could not be carbureted or atomized by the conventional carburetion means. Thus I have found-that my arrangement will satisfactorily atomize a fuel known as High flash or Safety fuel which is very desirable for use in aviation engines and especially those employed in places used for war purposes as this fuel will not take nre readily in bulk liquid form, and is rendered readily combustible only when it is finely divided or atomized and mixed with air..

The arrangement of anterior air and throttle control for the combined supercharger, aspirator and fuel lifting device connected with a metering or valve means for regulating the amount of liquid fuel discharged from Ythe nozzle 'lll is in proportion to the amount of air passing the air regulating valve 62.' Thus, when'the rotor shaft @si is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed The action of the supervaporization.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that vthe arrangement of my invention performs many functions in that the arrangement lifts or elevates the fuel direct from a fuel supply tank.

and through several stages, atomizes and mixes the fuel with air and delivers this fuel and air mixture direct to the engine cylinders through the manifolds under substantial pressures set up by the centrifugal force of the rotor 23 and the arrangement of fuel and air passages therethrough. It is to be understood that thesystem and apparatus of my invention, while having particular utility with engines of the aviationtype because of the peculiar and rapidly varying conditions under which such engines operate, may be used with any type of engine or in any place where liquid and gas mixtures are to be formed.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may -be made other than is herein disclosed, land the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A fuel system for internal combustion .engines, comprising in combination, a rotor having an axially arranged venturi; means for supplying inlFigures 4 and 5, the rotation of shaft 66 and 40 the sector S3 secured thereto elevates sleeves 31, valve shafts 11 formed with the tapered needle portions i9 thereof to admit proportionately more.

fuel to the nozzle 'l0 as more air is admitted past 'the air valve 62. This proportion of fuel to be mixed with the air is established by means of the amount of taper imparted to the needle valve portion 'i9 of the valve shaft structure l1. it Will thus be apparent from Figure 4 that the higher shaft l1 is elevated the more fuel may pass the needle portion 'i9 through passage l5. By the use of the control of the anterior air valve S2 before the Vfuel is mixed with the incoming air, l' have eliminated the tendency of the throttlej to become frozen as the plane reaches high altitudes and correspondly low temperatures beof substantial amounts of heat to supply the latent heat of vaporization necessary to volatilize the fuel. `As the fuel ows through the passages in the rotorl 23 atsuch a rapid rate, it acquires a substantial amount of heat from the fuel to said venturi; said rotor having a plurality of radially arranged ducts, said radially arranged ducts having communication with said axially arranged uenturi, and means set up by the rotation of said rotor=` for passingv air through said venturi and inducing the discharge of fuel into said venturi. i i

2. A fuel system for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a rotor, a'venturi axially arranged in 4said rotor; means for supplying fuel to said axially arranged venturi: said rotor having a plurality of radially arranged venturis, said radially/arranged'venturis having.n communication with saidy axially 'arranged venturi; and means set up by the rotation of said rotor for inducing the flow of air and fuel through said venturis.4

3. Afuel. system for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, arotor having an axially arranged venturi, saidrotor being con-` structed and arranged whereby during rotation thereof air, is moved axially of said venturi; means for introducing fuel into the air stream passing through said venturi; said rotor having a plurality of spaced radially arranged venturis in communication with said axially arranged venturi whereby fuel and air mixture formed in said axially arranged venturi is further mixed with air in said radially arranged venturis; said rotor having radially arranged spacedl air ,pas-

(S0/sages whereby said fuel and air mixture disrotor structure so that even -though the rotor A.

,structure is positioned very close to the engine and therefore subjected to the heat of combustion occurring in the engine cylinders, in addition to the heat generated by it at a hig'hspeed, the rotor remains at a comparatively low temcharged from said radially arranged venturis is further mixed with air passing through the air passages in said rotor; and a zone adjacent the periphery of said rotor for collecting and distributing the fuel and air mixture.

4. In a device of the character" disclosed, in combination, a rotor having a chamber in the hub portion, a plurality of radially arranged ducts in vsaid rotor in communication with said chamber; means for supplying air to said chamber; means for supplying fuel to said chamber; means for regulating the flow of air to said chamber; and means interconnected with said air regulating means' for metering the fuel supplied to perature because of the heat absorbed therefrom said chamber, each of said radially arranged by the fuellto supply the heat required for venturis in said rotor.

5. In a fuel system for internal lcombustion engines in combination, a rotor having an axially arranged passage, said rotor having a plurality of radially arranged ducts in communication with said axially arranged passage: means for supplying airrto said axially arranged passage; means for supplying fuel to said axially arranged passage; means for regulating the flow of air to said passage; and means intercolated with said air regulating means for metering the fuel'supplied to said passage, said rotor having radially arranged air passages, each of said radially arranged passages having a venturi therein arranged .to receive from said axially arranged ducts a mixture of fuel and air; a collecting zone surrounding the periphery of said rotor arranged to receive air and fuel from said radially arranged venturis and to receive air from said radially arranged air passages. i

25 6. In a device of the character disclosed in combination, a rotor having al chamber in its hub portion and radially arranged passages communicating with said chamber; means for admitting air to said chamber; a fuel supply nozzle for discharging fuel into said chamber; metering means for controlling the fuel discharged from said nozzle; means for regulating the flow of air to said chamber: a supplemental fuel supply means for delivering fuel to said nozzle from said supplemental fuel supply; electrical means for heating said supplemental fuel supply; and means for regulating the ow of fuel to said nozzle from said supplemental fuel supply means.

7. A fuel system for internal combustion engines comprising in combination, a rotor having a hollow hub portion, means for rotating said rotor whereby air is moved axially of the hollow hub portion, means for introducing fuel into the air stream passing throughthehollow hub portion, said rotor having a plurality of radially arranged ducts in communication with said hollow hub portion, said rotor having a series of radially arranged passages, said rotor having lateral passagewaysconnecting said radially arranged ducts with said radially arranged passages whereby the fuel and 4air mixture in said ducts is discharged into said radially arranged air passages in said rotor. y

8. A fuel system for internal combustion englues, comprising a combination, a rotor, means to rotate said rotor at a high rate of speed, said rotor having a hollow hub portion with an axially arranged venturi formed therein, means for supplying fuel and air into said venturi, said rotor having a plurality of radially arranged ducts communicating with said venturi, said rotor having a series` of radially arranged passages adiac'ent said ducts, said ducts. and said-passages being connected by laterally arranged passageways, means to admit air to said' radially'arranged passages whereby the fuel and air mixture in said ducts is discharged into said passages for further diluting the fuel and air mixture discharged peripherally of said rotor from said radially arranged passages.

, OTIS C. FUNDERBURK. 

